Note To Self
Swen Nater

Coach Wooden was addicted to one thing—the obsession to keep improving things until they were as close to perfect as possible. In the off season, he performed exhaustive topical research and learned from experts. However, many of his ideas came to him during the practice session. For that reason he always had pen and paper handy during the workouts.  It is very safe to say, Coach Wooden would not have experienced the amount of success he did, had he not been a note taker.

His workout plan was typed on 3 X 5 cards. Several times a practice, I saw him jotting things down on the backs of those cards. When I became a teacher myself, he told me, they were “notes to self” that pertained to how to improve things for the next practice. He said, had he not done that, he would have forgotten most of those ideas. 

When I get home from work, I always have a piece of paper in my left pocket. That is where, during the day, I write things down that I need to remember when I get home. You know; pay a bill, write a posting, balance the checkbook, make a dinner reservation, and the like. If I didn’t do that, I would never remember most of them. In the same way, Coach Wooden took notes all practice long to remind him of what to do the next day when he and his assistants planned that day’s practice session. He told me, most of what he wrote had to do with what drills he needed to do for certain players the next day. But some were regarding the drills themselves. “Do Rebound drill longer.” “Create a variety for the shooting drill.” “Need more time on shooting.” “Find a way to get Swen more playing time.” (Wish that were true.)

While in the middle of something, have you ever thought of something really cool and important, didn’t write it down, and later, pulled your hair, trying to remember it? Been there; done that. Well, there’s good news. If you carry around a pen and piece of paper, like Coach did, you won’t ever get that terrible feeling again.

I’m sure you’re already sold on the idea (not because I said it but because Coach did it) but, just in case you’re on the fence, here are three benefits of writing Notes to Self. . 

1. Improve Job Performance. (Keeps you on task.)
2. Saves Time. (Helps not having to reinvent the wheel.)
3. Facilitates Improvement. (Saves innovative ideas.)

So tomorrow morning, when you’re about to leave the house and you go through your checklist, “wallet, watch, keys, cellphone, and briefcase,” don’t forget to add, “pen and paper.” 

Be more fearful of the opponent that is improving himself than the one trying to beat you.